Costa Rica Overview:

1) Trekking a volcano and hiking within Costa Rica’s jungle definitely pushed my personal limitations on so different levels. Needless to say, the 2 volcano hike was absolutely a challenge! The steep trails and mud stick holes formulated this 8 hour hike to be one of most difficult treks that I have completed in Central America. End result: Signature jumpin’ photograph with Volcán Arenal, hot springs, and new friendships created! grin emoticon

2) Canoeing down a river in a torrential downpour was crazy, and cold! For some reason, I had this silly idea that it would STOP raining, but did it? Of course not, after 4 hours of paddling through one of Costa Rica’s most habitable rivers in the rain, it made me realize how much rain Costa Rica gets every year. The lightning over the river was pretty cool, though quite close! I know that I am in the rainy season, but seriously, I could have used a little bit of sunshine!

3) Cruising on a jungle river looking for monkeys! I felt that I was on a proper safari, minus the safari hat! A peaceful river within Tortuguero was an incredible way to view the wildlife that reside here. Amongst loads of Howler and Spider monkeys, I saw a croc, several species of birds, lizards (favorite one: Jesus Christ lizard <actually runs on water!>), freshwater crabs, etc. This experience has geared me up to take on a river cruise on the Amazon!

DO: VOLCANO BOARD DOWN AN ACTIVE VOLCANO

Leon:

Becoming part of an adrenaline-filled tour group, complete with jumping in the back of a pick-up truck through the Nicaraguan jungle, hiking intensively for 1 hour Volcan Cerro Negro, celebrating with your new good mates as you all are covered from head to toe of volcanco ash, and having bragging rights that YOU just boarded down an active volcano! And, salsa dancing with them to celebrate the day’s accomplishments!

Celebratory Drink, Local Beer; Nicaragua; 2013

Ronja with the Aftermath Look of Volcano Boarding; Nicaragua; 2013

Mates Ready to Rock; Nicaragua; 2013

Final Thoughts Before Going 1st Down the Volcano; Nicaragua; 2013

Good Mate, Merav, with Her Signature Jumpin’ Photograph; Nicaragua; 2013

German Boys and I; Nicaragua; 2013

Landscape of Volcano; Nicaragua; 2013

Volcano Boarding Gear; Nicaragua; 2013

Orange Bus; Nicaragua; 2013

One Final Moment; Nicaragua; 2013

Volcano Boarders; Nicaragua; 2013

Welcome to Volcan Cerro Negro; Nicaragua; 2013

DO: SURF THE PACIFIC OCEAN IN A REMOTE LOCATION

Isla Los Brasiles:

Driving to the coast via horseback and arriving in one of the most remote destinations that I have ever been to

Goodbye Nicaragua:

I still have sand & bits of pieces of volcanic rock in my shoes, a tan-line from my flip-flops & bikini top, Spanish lingo stuck in my head, and I cannot seem to shake the thoughts of my recents travels in Central America, but oddly enough, it’s time to get on a helicopter in a few short hours, go back to a career that I adore, and head off the west coast of Africa! Humpback whales here I come!

During my adventure travels, this question arose (illustrated in the below photograph), along with “Who would win in a fight Superman vs. Batman?”

Before I Die; Leon, Nicaragua; 2013

I have a lot of answers, but one that sticks is to VISIT ANTARCTICA (in the process of setting up an expedition on my 35th birthday!)! And, I truly believe Batman would kick Superman’s ass!

A Taste of My Submarine Exploration with Stanley Submarines:

Location: West End, Roatan, Honduras! The best footage that I took on this dive of 1,950 feet below the ocean’s surface (located above in the post)! Bluntnose six-gill sharks live in complete darkness and not a lot of information is known about these magnificent creatures. I captured some rare footage at 1,950 feet below the ocean’s surface.

Note: Cow organs were used for bait, for those that have a sensitive stomach!

Commentary is added for your pleasure. After the video was filmed, Karl Stanley and I concluded that this particular six gill female pregnant shark was at least 13 feet long.

Utila:

Snorkeling the island

Snorkeling the Blue; Utila, Honduras; 2013

Hanging Out with a Few Fish; Utila, Hondruas; 2013

Honduras Re-cap:

When I initially started my preparations for Central America, I never really set an itinerary. I knew the destinations that I wanted to travel to, but I was uncertain when I would arrive there. I noticed that this is becoming a travel pattern of mine, and although it is very different from my previous set itinerary for South Africa of 2011, this is the perfect change for this world traveler! And I am sure that you will see more of my laid-back personality throughout my documenting.

1) Introduction to the Bay Islands – It was incredible to end my 1st Central America Adventure Tour in the islands. If you recall, I had begun my journey on honeymoon couple island of Caye Caulker, Belize. Like Belize, Honduras was an excellent hub for marine and bird life, as well as defined the true definition of “Adventure” – the water was crystal clear (ideal for diving and snorkeling), majestic winged creatures circled above my head, and there were numerous adrenaline-filled activities on the islands of Utila and Roatan for all ages.

From zip-lining, snorkeling, island off-roading, and trekking to the remote locations of the islands, the Bay Islands sufficed my appetite for adventure. Did I mention that I was in Paradise?

2) Acquaintance of Copan – Along the way I met a fellow traveler like myself. The 6 foot something resident of the UK young man was on a 10 week venture around Central America. Luckily, I had the chance to meet Robert in El Salvador, which then we had decided to trek around Honduras together for a little while.

The first historical destination was Copan; known for its ruins, underground tombs, plethora of Scarlet Macaws lingering in the trees, and invasive plants and trees that sustain Honduras’s heat waves. Not only was this destination perfect for photography, but our tour guide (like that of Tikal, Guatemala’s) was extremely enthusiastic of the culture that once stood where we were standing at that moment. As we wondered around the site, it was evident that Kings and the upperclass dominated the ruins. Some smaller houses kept 5-6 children in one small room, where the parents had half the size of a master-bedroom found in today’s society.

The most unique experience: Ducking into an underground tomb, where etchings and small rooms still existed. Due to all the artwork in the rooms, I was able to paint a picture how a King once lived. And in that particular moment, I felt the pain and heart-ache of how a beautiful city crumbled to the grounds underneath my feet.

3) Submersion of 1,950 feet or 600 meters in a yellow submarine – I cannot emphasize enough how amazing this experience was. Of course, the video that I had documented, and later posted on Facebook only gave you a fraction of the experience that I had felt (but I tried!)

Descending into a pool of bioluminescence can be best described like a scene out of Star Wars moving through the galaxy of fallen stars, except my scene was created of tiny little green stars. The best part was that this was my first view of bioluminescence from under the ocean’s surface. The ride down was unlike anything I had ever experienced – each 500 feet the temperature dropped, and soon I found myself putting layers of jumpers and trousers over my board-shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops that I had started out in. As we await in darkness for a few hours, the glimpse of hope of witnessing one of the world’s most mysterious creatures lurking in the depths of 1,500 feet, stirred our minds.

Once we plummeted into the depths of darkness, we were able to quickly flick on our submarine light and illuminate the ocean bottom floor.Honestly, for a split second I envisioned that this how landing on the moon would look (maybe one day I will find out!)! Finally, 3 hours later after waiting in total darkness a 13 foot pregnant female approached us, devoured our cow organs roped onto the front of the submarine, and a documentary on the Bluntnose Sixgill sharks were formulated.

I find it difficult to express all of my feelings on how I felt staring only a few feet away from this elusive and solitaire creature. I just know that this is one of my top 5 most adventurous activities in the world, and I would be keen to do it again!

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MEXICO

DREAM. EXPLORE. LIVE.

Thank you for stopping by! My name is Jessica and I have been coined the term "World Traveler." I have trekked to 60+ countries, 48 US states, and even started driving my Jeep around the world on "The Voyage of Discovery!" I suppose you can say I am a bit addicted to global travels!
My career as a Marine Mammal Scientist allows me to spend a few months researching whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, fish, and endangered species within various international regions.
Feel free to come along for the adventure, you never know where I will end up!
Dream. Explore. Live.